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joewein.de LLC
fighting spam and scams on the Internet
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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam
The so-called "419" scam is a type of fraud dominated by criminals from Nigeria and other countries in Africa. Victims of the scam are promised a large amount of money, such as a lottery prize, inheritance, money sitting in some bank account, etc.
Victims never receive this non-existent fortune but are tricked into sending their money to the criminals, who remain anonymous. They hide their real identity and location by using fake names and fake postal addresses as well as communicating via anonymous free email accounts and mobile phones.
Keep in mind that scammers DO NOT use their real names when defrauding people.
The criminals either abuse names of real people or companies or invent names or addresses.
Any real people or companies mentioned below have NO CONNECTION to the scammers!
Read more about such scams here or in our 419 FAQ. Use the Scam-O-Matic to verify suspect emails.
Click here to report a problem with this page.
Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "million dollars" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: Mark Grey <mgrey1x@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 7 May 2015 15:28:39 +0100
Subject: RE: Dear Friend
Hello Friend,
It is my pleasure to contact you after satisfactory appraisal and
acceptance of your proven credential having obtained your contact
information from our chamber of commerce. My name is Mr. Mark Grey, working
with one of the biggest bank here in my country. I have a client who left a
will of $9.3 Million Dollars unclaimed for several years after his death. I
want to present you to my bank as the next of kin and the beneficiary of
this fund. For more details please contact me with the following
information as stated below:
1. Full Name:
2. Your: Telephone Number:
3. Your Contact Address:
4. Age:
5. Core Job/ Occupation:
When the fund gets into your account, you shall have 30% of it and keep 70%
for me. I will be delighted to also inform you that all logistic that will
make this deal a success have been taken care of internally in my Bank.
Endeavour to let me know your decision rather than keep me waiting.
Best regards,
Mark Grey
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Anti-fraud resources:
